School rhythm was easy enough to roll back into. And the homework wasn't even that bad. Without all the crazy assignments from his father or the Dark Lord, Draco was pleased to find himself able to concentrate on his lessons and not have to worry about things that didn't relate to dark things. Well, except for Defence Against the Dark Arts.
A class he hoped they could't find a teacher for, with the curse and all. He knew enough about dark arts and it's defences thank you very much. But after all, that was one of the easiest classes. Granger seemed to think the same thing, since she was doodling on her parchment. Constellations? So much for doodling flowers and stuff, leave it to the swot the doodle difficult things.
He sighed heavely, what made Hermione look up, and gave him a searching look. After that first look, every look they shared was followed by the low buzzing. It was annoying to say the least. He still couldn't figure out why that was. With a lot of debating going on in him mind about reacting, his face did it for him. He gave her a look like 'what are we learning here?' She smiled at that, she smiled at him? He looked back at the teacher, who was droning on about defensive spells.
He noted some on his parchment, to make sure his teacher thought he was paying attention. While writing, a peace of quill landed on his desk. He looked up surprised, and was a little startled to see Granger grinning at him. This was hers? Why would she trow garbage at him? Stupid girl! He looked up with a nasty frown. She looked surprised. Not the reaction she was hoping for? Huh.. she nodded slightly in the direction of the broken quill and waved her wand. What? But.. oh! He arched his eyebrow at her and then untransfigured the piece. It turned out to be a note. Scribbled in a tiny but neat handwriting; why do we have to take this class?
The baldness of passing notes amused him, rolling his eyes at her, he scribbled back; they don't think we did a good job I guess Transfiguring the note to a peacock feather and flooting it unseen back to her. She had to hide a laugh when she saw that. 'Showoff' she muttered. She pursed her lips at his answer and looked like thinking very hard about her respons. This time propelling it across the tables with a little Notice me Not charm she perfected. 'Clever magic' Draco thought when he noticed nobody seems to see the note. Huh.. did he just call her clever? No denying that she was not, after all she was always on top of her class, competing against him. But he always thought that was just book smarts. No muggle born could be just born with that magic right? The cleverness to invent or reshape spells, you had to be a real witch or wizard for that. And here he was, passing notes with Granger. How the times had changed. With this on his mind it was that he opened his note; but I feel more defenceless now, than I ever was in war
Had she really written that? His look was hilarious to see, if you didn't count the subject. He looked around startled, pale complexion turning ashen, eyes popping and mouth forming a thin line, like a Dementor could be close. 'Way to literal Malfoy' she thought. And she shook her head, amused set of her eyes, walking out of class.
Ofcourse she meant the crazy things inside her head. The buzzing had faded after she accepted that there was something going on. Soft whispers could be heard, but not more that random words floating around. And no matter how hard she tried, she could not make them into proper sentences. Magic, stars, fire, love... what does this have anything to do with Malfoy? She still thought he was way to opionated about bloodstatus. Even though she knew he was not evil. Trust did not come easy anymore.
It was lunchtime so she headed to the Great Hall, Ginny was catching up to her. 'Hey 'Mione, want to do something bolt and stupid?' she asked 'O no, you really do channel your brothers way to often Ginny, but hell, I could do with a laugh, but only if it does not affect my grades' 'You nerd, I would never harm your precious grades, you know me!' She did, they build a great friendship over the summer. Ginny was fun, honest and bolt. 'I do, that's why I will follow you, but I am curious, what are we gonna do? ''Just follow me, you'll see'
And with that they walked into the Great Hall, but, to Hermiones surprise, did not walk in the direction of their usual table. Ginny stopped short next to Zabini and Theo, who were sitting with their backs to them. A gaping Malfoy looking at them. 'Hello Zabini, mind to move over a bit?' Theo looked as surprised as Hermione. 'Ginny, you can't be serious...!' Hermione hissed frowning down at Ginny. 'And why is that o Golden Girl? Scared?' Draco sneered and wiggled his eyebrows. Chin up and eyes that could trow daggers, Hermione sat down next to Theo and Ginny, who already took her seat, sitting there with an triumpant smile on her face. Blaise looked pleased. Draco looked warily around. 'Now look who's scared' Blaise nudged Ginny while looking at Draco. 'She doesn't bite Malfoy, she only hexes you if you are stupid enough to cross her' Ginny offered. 'She is talking about herself, I do bite when neccesary' Hermione bit out. Earning her a gratifying look from Ginny.
'I am sorry Draco, but I think their company is very entertaining' Blaise pressed between laughs. Theo couldn't help but join in. Draco and Hermione were glaring at eachother. Feeling the buzzing was very distracting, so Hermione looked away to fill her plate. She was here for lunch after all.
Lunch went by with a little chit chat. Talking about Harry, or Potter, for the sake of the snakes. About Georges shop. As it turned out, Blaise did like to prank people, but in a sneaky way. Hermione got why he and Ginny were getting along just fine. It was soothing to hear them talk to eachother like it was just as normal as ever.
'You ok Hermione? Your mind seems to be having a chat of his own' Luna asked walking over a little before lunch was about to end. 'You.. you can hear that?!' Hermione choked, spinning around 'Hear what Mione? Your thoughts? You know Luna can't mindread or perform Legilimens without you knowing' Ginny stepped in. 'No, it's not that...' glancing a quick look at Draco 'It's not really my thoughts I'm hearing..' Looking back at Ginny while other were staring she said: 'Let's go Ginny, I will tell you about it in private' The two girls rose from their seat, leaving behind a dumbstruck Draco. 'Bye Theo..' Luna called, following the girls.
'So you're saying their are voices inside your head, that are not yours, and you hear them when locking eyes with Malfoy?' Ginny summed up. 'Well, thats a little disturbing Mione' 'Really? I had no idea...' Hermione gave an exasparated sigh. 'Do you think Malfoy can hear them too?' Luna asked 'I don't know, not really the kind of guy to walk up to, and ask is he hears voices in his head too..'. 'He would start laughing right away, make an insult about being a muggle born and all, no thanks, I'd rather not know'. 'But if he can hear it too, there must be something going on' 'I know Ginny, but I don't think I am ready to find out what I have in common with Malfoy, and besides, I passed him a note in DADA class, but he took that one way to literal, so I don't think I will find out anytime soon'. 'You passed notes? In class? YOU passed notes? What happened to Hermione Granger?' Having to laugh at that Hermione aswered: 'It's DADA class, you know we are a little past that right? After everything I think I've got that covered'. 'Yeah well, ok, what did you write?' With precision Hermione told what transpired. And both Luna and Ginny burst out giggling. 'That sounds like you have a crush on him Hermione' Luna stated. Turning white, Hermione let the words roll around in her head again. O Merlin, what has she done? This could not be happening. How did that come out so wrong? 'He looked like danger was in the room' Hermione defended. 'He can't really think that' 'Yeah, you being the danger, the muggle born going after Draco Malfoy' Ginny burst out in hysterics. 'You'd make a nice couple' Luna said dreamely
It was with slight embarrassment that Hermione got through he next days. How could she set this straight? The only way how was to confront him. She was brave, she could do this. She was a Gryffindor after all. She just had to wait until the right time. Potions class was not the best time or was it? Seeing as they were paired of together made it all the more awkward, but she had a plan.